Craig of That Dapper Chap takes us around the shows and presentation of his final day at this seasons London Fashion Week Men’s

So day three dawned. You can find my breakdown of day one HERE and day two HERE.

With tube strikes imminent, lines closed and lines delayed it was a nightmare getting into central London today. I appreciate that these things happen, but did they not know that we had shows to get to!

As a result we unfortunately missed the Berthold show and it was then a toss up between getting to the Marharishi catwalk show and legging it to Kent & Curwen at the OXO Tower, potentially missing it, or just making our way leisurely to to the OXO Tower and stopping for a coffee and a pastry for breakfast in readiness for the show.

Coffee, an apricot pastry and Kent & Curwen won hands down, I wasn’t going to miss it for the world!

KENT & CURWEN

Today was a great day! I am a HUGE fan of Kent & Curwen and was so excited to see their first presentation. Since being regenerated following a business deal with David Beckham, the brand have gone from strength to strength. I posted previously about the new venture with Mr Beckham and you can read that HERE.

With an exciting blend of heritage and traditional styles, and more contemporary styling, Kent & Curwen are hitting the mark spot on with what the modern man wants. Style, comfort and those little touches that lift a look from ordinary to exciting.

Outerwear won the day with a supreme range of great military style heavy winter coats in rich wool and herringbone. Blazers were tailored and striped, in a heritage college style, complete with embroidered badges and accompanying striped scarves.

The event was made even better by the fact that I got to meet Mr Beckham himself which was a real highlight of my weekend.

XIMONLEE & GQ CHINA

Next on our list was the XIMONLEE catwalk, so back to 180 The Strand we went. Award winning Korean designer Ximon Lee continues to make a mark for himself in the fashion industry, and again collaborated with GQ China to bring us another very original showcase of visual mastery.

Heavy velvet coats and elaborate pieces graced the catwalk alongside wide legged trousers and embellished sheer shirts and leather accessories. With the global success of his collaboration with high street giant H&M under his belt there seems to be no stopping Ximon Lee’s rise within the industry.

CHESTER BARRIE

Another event that never fails to deliver is the Chester Barrie presentation. This season it was held at Smith & Wollensky in Covent Garden. As always the food and cocktails were most welcome and very appreciated.

Chester Barrie’s AW17 collection is again very elegant and sophisticated, and directly aimed at the more gentlemanly among us.

As we’ve come to expect from Chester Barrie, we saw a really nice selection of occasion wear, tuxedos and smoking jackets in chocolate and navy velvet.

Pattern and texture was very prevalent with tweeds and wool in beautiful checks and tartans, my favourite piece being a rust red double breasted checked suit.

Stars of stage and TV arrived to enjoy the show and I got to catch up with Mr Dermot O’Leary; X-Factor host and Radio 2 DJ, who told me of a few exciting projects he has coming up.

Also at the event were a number of well respected bloggers, attending to document the show and enjoy what’s become another real highlight of London Fashion Week Men’s.

Bloggers unite! Menswear bloggers at the Chester Barrie event from all over the UK

Catching up with Mr Dermot O’ Leary

My favourite piece from the Chester Barrie collection

JOHN LOBB

Our final stop for this season was the John Lobb event in Hollybush Gardens in Warner Yard.

With bespoke shoe making established in Paris, John Lobb manufactures a ready to wear collection right here in the UK. With shoes in full grain leathers and suede there’s also the opportunity to go a little more exotic with crocodile and lizard skins, should the fancy take you.

And that was us finished! I hope you enjoyed this series, I certainly enjoyed the events and I thank The British Fashion Council and all at London Fashion Week Men’s for once again creating a fascinating and unique event. Roll on June!

CRAIG OF THAT DAPPER CHAP TAKES US AROUND HIS FINAL DAY OF LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN AND DETAILS THE SHOWS AND PRESENTATIONS THAT HE ATTENDED.

Every good thing comes to an end right? Although London Collections: Men, spans four days, I was only able to attend three due to other commitments, so on Sunday morning I packed my case, and said goodbye to my Uncle, who had kindly given me a bed for the weekend, and I set off for the shows.

Christopher Ræburn

My first show on Sunday was Christopher Ræburn. Christopher Ræburn is one of the most exciting designer fashion businesses
emerging from the current British fashion scene.
Christopher’s pioneering work has brought sustainable design to a mainstream
fashion audience embodying luxury with integrity.

Christopher Raeburn, relevant and wearable fashion for the modern man

The brand currently has
over sixty stockists worldwide and has received an amazing array of media
coverage nationally and internationally. In her review of the Autumn ⁄ Winter
2014 ‘POLARIS’ menswear collection in the New York Times Suzy Menkes
said “It is Mr Ræburn’s clear vision of clothes that protect man and the planet
that make him an original and exceptional designer”.

Guests at the Christopher Raeburn record and tweet the collection

Chester Barrie

One of my favourite presentations has to be Chester Barrie, who always gives us a beautiful collection of incredible tailoring. Occasionwear sat with sharp suits and less formal blazers. Each piece was wonderfully accessorised with Chester Barrie ties and pocket squares.

The Chester Barrie collection gave us beautiful tailoring suitable for all occasions

Guests at the Chester Barrie presentation enjoy the collection

Myself and TV presenter Darren Kennedy at the event

XIMONLEE GQ China

After a coffee break and a bite to eat it was back to the strand to see the XIMONLEE and GQ China show. Switching up the style from the last event, XIMONLEE gave us something very different. With a front row seat I got to see the collection close up and you might just spot me in the video below!

Deconstructed conceptual design from XIMONLEE

Being the first menswear designer to win the H&M Design Award (2015), Ximon decided to start his own eponymous line XIMONLEE. Ximon’s meticulous and highly original work has since made a strong impact within the industry.

A closer look at some of the pieces offered by XIMONLEE

Apart from his global collaboration with H&M, he was invited to showcase his AW15 collection in Vfiles Made Fashion during NYFW in February 2015 and at the prestigious LVMH Prize showroom in Paris. Ximon Lee has been selected to the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 list after one year since the line was launched.

KTZ

My final show of this season was the KTZ show. During the walk there, the skies blackened and the rain fell. Suits got wet and umbrellas became a necessary accessory. But I was told it would all be worth it, as KTZ always offers an incredible show.

Three looks from the KTZ collection at London Collections: Men

Conceived in 2003, KTZ is a contemporary London-based fashion label under the creative direction of Marjan Pejoski and management of Sasko Bezovski. In 1996 the pair opened the shop Kokon to Zai in Soho as a hybrid music and fashion store, which became a platform for creative projects, showcased cutting edge designers and produced the label KTZ.

I have to say that while the clothing shown isn’t my style, I do very much respect the concept and the level of design that went into each and every piece.

Roll on January

So, with my final show done and my LC:M at an end, I boarded the train and made my way home. What a fantastic weekend! I saw everything from tuxedos to leather bondage gear. Only at LC:M do you get such a hugely diverse selection of designers and menswear, and The British Fashion Council have once again done themselves proud. Roll on January!

Follow Eldred Grove

Never miss a post

Voted Top 10 Men’s Fashion Blog

Featured Post

CRAIG OF THAT DAPPER CHAP TAKES US AROUND HIS FINAL DAY OF LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN AND DETAILS THE SHOWS AND PRESENTATIONS THAT HE ATTENDED. Every good thing comes to an end right? Although London Collections:…